How can Digital Technology improve Productivity in Retrofitting Works within the UK Social Housing Sector?

The UK Government advocates undertaking retrofitting works to the existing housing stock to assist in meeting the carbon reduction targets set out in the Climate Change Act 2008. Over 4 million dwellings within the current stock are managed and maintained by social housing registered providers and a significant number of these properties require retrofitting works in order for the registered providers to deliver low-carbon, energy-efficient dwellings. However, the social housing sector is facing a number of financial challenges which means that registered providers are seeking more streamlined and efficient ways of working to improve productivity in retrofitting contracts. The Government’s industrial strategy supports the adoption of Digital Technology [DT] to enable effective and collaborative ways of working throughout the construction supply chain This research sets out to establish whether the innovative use of DT has, to date, been accepted within the UK social housing sector with respect to retrofitting works and endeavours to identify new areas and roles where DT may contribute to improving the productivity of retrofitting works. The research methodology collected data from senior professionals working within the social housing retrofit supply chain, using semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was used to identify ideas and patterns within the resulting datasets. The findings indicate that DT could be employed throughout the whole-life of a retrofitted property, from the initial design and construction stages through to playing a pivotal role in the management of the asset. This could include the utilisation of smart data and encourage collaborative engagement with all stakeholders including end users. However, for the diffusion of DT within the social housing sector to be successful a change in the perception of DT by actors within the sector is required.